The Church of England has allocated nearly £8.5 million for initiatives aimed at advancing the Christian faith, encompassing programs for parish renewal and youth outreach in both rural and urban settings.
Grants have been sanctioned for missions spanning from the northern regions to the Kent coastline, with a significant portion designated for areas with low incomes.
These grants will support initiatives such as parish revitalization programs, establishment of 'hubs' for children's and youth activities, church planting endeavours, and the expansion of a family church model that has experienced remarkable growth since its inception in 2020.
The allocations, granted to the Dioceses of Canterbury, Durham, Hereford, and Southwark, have been dispensed by the Church of England’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB).
In the Diocese of Durham, £4.7 million has been earmarked over seven years to fund initiatives such as the establishment of 20 new hubs within local churches for children and youth ministries.
Additionally, training opportunities will be provided for 600 individuals involved in youth and children's ministries. The grant will also facilitate chaplaincy services in secondary schools and offer support and seed funding for 25 churches to enhance their engagement with local secondary schools.
Moreover, the Board has provisionally approved a further £3.3 million for eight parish revitalization projects and to support staff and ministry expenses at Sunderland Minster, enhancing its outreach and mission within the city.
In Canterbury Diocese, £3.2 million has been allocated for a five-year program focusing on church planting and revitalization, particularly targeting parish churches in Margate and Maidstone in Kent.
One notable project involves the re-establishment of Holy Trinity Margate as a church hub supporting neighbouring parishes in mission endeavours. Similarly, a project in north Maidstone aims to bolster the partnership between St Luke's Church, which has experienced significant growth, and St Faith’s, a recent church plant.
St. Luke’s will also explore its potential role as a resource centre for other churches in Maidstone.